Cap for aerosol bomb



Oct. 30, 1951 R. w. svENDsEN CAP FOR AEROSOL BOMB Filed July 1s, 195o palaces* Patented Oct. 30, 1951 CAP FOR AEROSOL BOMB Robert W. Svendsen, Maywood, Ill.

Application July 13, 1950, Serial No. 173,653

7 Claims. (Cl. 299-95) This invention relates to a cap for an aerosol bomb,` and particularly is concerned with'a cover member for the type of bomb formed as a can- -nister having an annular rim or lip.

f Many of the aerosol bombs being sold today are economically made from ordinary cannisters, cylindrical in shape, and having concave ends to enable the bomb to withstand the high internal pressure thereof. The concave ends and the `cylindrical wall are formed of relatively thin `gauge metal, and each of the ends is crimped in position, forming thereby an annular ridge or lip.

One end is provided with a valve biased to a ,closed position, but adapted to be moved to open position by the user to enable the material in the bomb to discharge through a fine spray jet provided in the valve housing. The valve is operated by means of a dome-shaped flexiblev diaphragm through which the valve stem may be pressed, and which, by reason of being sealed y.upon the end of the valve housing, prevents leakvare both below the lip of the bomb. This protects the valve from injury, `prevents danger of explosion caused by valve head breakage, and

.further enables the bombs more easily to be stored.

MI-Ieretofore, it has been customary to furnish such bombs with a cap completely covering the valve end of the bomb, such cap having flanged edges removably engaged over the bomb lip.

.Such cap was inthe form of a planar disc ar- .,ranged over the end, and in most cases, an outwardly convex projection was provided in the .center thereof to clear the valve button. In some cases, a nesting ange was provided. v In using the type of bomb above described, it

was necessary to remove the cap to uncover the 'valve button. The cap, therefore had to be fairly easy to remove, and hence was readily lost, or

misplaced. My invention has as an object the provision of a novel cap which need not be removed from the bomb to enable the bomb to be used, and hence may be relatively securely attached thereto.

i, An important disadvantage of the aerosol bomb above described is that the valve button is quite small. -The valve biasing means must render the Yhe can spray the material.

valve leak-proof and hence it requires relatively strong downward pressure by the tip of the nger upon the valve button to overcome the force exerted by the biasing means, to dispense the maA terial from the bomb. The engagement of a small area of the finger tip by the valve button is an noying, and in case the button is held down for more than a few seconds, it becomes painful. A principal object of the invention is to provide a protective cap which serves to enable a broader area of the nger tip to be used in operatingthe aerosol bomb.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a cap for an aerosol bomb which serves as a valve operating pressure distribution plate, but which cannot be operated unless the cap is arranged to permit the jet freely to spray the material. l

In connection with the last mentioned object, it very often occurs that persons not familiar with the operation of aerosol bombs will press the valve button when the jet is pointed in the wrong direction. The person is likely to soil his clothing, or cause the material to fly intov his face. Accordingly, it is another object of my invention to provide a cap constructed in such a manner that only a small segment of the cap is open, it being impossible to operate the valve unless the segment is aligned with the jet, whereby the user must turn the cap to operative position before Undersuch circumstances the opening of the cap indicates `the proper direction to point the bomb during use, and in addition, indicia may be applied to the cap, in the form of an arrow, for example, to point vout such direction when the segment shaped opening is properly aligned with the jet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cap of the character described which has an opening through which the jet is adapted to direct the spray of material, but which will prevent the valve from being operated until the jet and opening are properly aligned. v

Another object of thev invention is to provide a cap having means protruding downwardly therefrom and which limits the downward movement of the cap by engaging against a part of the valve housing, but which permits downward movement of the cap when the jet and opening of the cap are properly aligned.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated .in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and-minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of this invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, this invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciate-d.'Y

Referring to the drawings in which Athe same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout -the several figures of the drawings: Y

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an aerosol bomb having a cap thereon, which cap is'constructed in accordance with my invention, the cap being 'arranged so that the bomb may be operated for spraying. v

Fig. 2 is a'fragmentary sectional view taken along -the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and in the indicated direction.

. Figs. 3 and 4 are viewsV similar to Figs. l and 2 except that in this case the cap has been arranged sothat the bomb cannot be operated.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of theV cap of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken through the cap alone along the line 6 5 of Fig. 1 and in the indicated direction.

Referring now to the illustrated figures, the invention is intended to be associated with a type of aerosol bomb Ywhich is in common use today. 'Said bomb, designated generally El) consists of an elongate'cylindrical cannister having concaved ends. Only the top of the bomb is shown in the figures's'ince the bottom is merely provided with an imperforate concave end of the type which will be described in connection with the top of lthe bomb. The cannisterl is formed of a continuous cylindrical wall of thin gauge metal, vtreated to resist corrosion in any well-known manner. At its upper end the cylindrical wall is covered and tightly sealed by a concave end 'member I2 whose circumferential edges are interfolded with the circumferential edges of the cylindr'ica'l wall'II to form an annulanprotruding ridge or lip I3. The bottom end (not shown) is also provided with a sealed concave member to render the bomb I0 air tight. The bomb is constructed in the manner described in orderto withstand relatively high internalgas pressure Without bursting.

The center of the end I2 is provided with a Y valve housing I 4 which is generally of cylindrical Vformation, and which has a shank l5 soldered to fthe upturned seat i6 of the end i2. The upper edge surface I1 of the valve housing I4 is in the form of a at ring having a radially extending projection I8 to one side thereof. YThe projection lI8 is the top surface of a nozzle I5 integrally formed with the Valve housing I it. 'The nozzle |19 has a jet 26 which points in'such a direction as tospray the material in the manner shown in Fig.. 2 at 2l. The material is forced from the interiorbf the bomb VI 0 through `the tube 2v2, past VVthe valve (not shown) and out of the vjet 29.

*Y The valve YhousingJI contains a valve mechanism which isn'ot shown herein-but which may Jbe of `any :suitable :and well-knownconstruction.

Same .forms .no part yof the invention, but .it

press downward with the finger uponra valve Y button 22. released, will permit the biasing means to close This will open the valve, and, when the valve. In the embodiment illustrated the valve button consists of a rubber, dome-shaped 'diaphragm which rises out of the center of the annular upper edge surface I'! of the valve housing 1. The valve operating mechanism can be pushed through the diaphragm without disturb- Ying the `substantiallygas-tight seal.

It will be noted that the housing I4 is secured to the end member I2 in such a manner that the surface I1 is below the end of the bomb IIJ as defined by the lip I3. The valve button 22 is also preferably below the edge of the lip I3 in order to prevent accidental opening of the valve.- This construction makes for less likelihood of damage tothe valve housing.

The bomb as thus far described is not intended to be claimed herein, since same is in widespread use at this time. My invention is especially applicable to the type of bomb described, principally because such abomb is provided with means for enabling a cap to be secured thereto, and means cooperating with my new cap to prevent the button from being pressed unless the cap is properly aligned. The first means consists of the annular lip I3 which can be engaged by the ange of my cap. -The second mentioned means consists of the radial projection I8 of the surface I'I which is intended to be engaged by a part of my cap during all positions of my cap but the one where the valve can be operated.

My new cap is designated generally bythe character 3i! and is best illustrated Vper Yse in Figs. 5 and 6. Same consists of a planar disc 3I having the major portion upset, giving rise to a seating iiange 32 by means of which a plu- 'rality-of bombs having such caps may nest one Vin position in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, and it will be obvious that the cap is capable of being rotated upon the end of the bomb I0.

YAs shown clearly in Fig. 5, a segment of about 90 Vis cut away from the cap, giving rise to the ytriangular opening 35 through which the material from the bomb In is intended to be sprayed. When the cap is in place, the apex 36 of the 'opening 3'5 cuts across a small chord of the ksurface II, and, when aligned with the projection I8 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, gives free access for spray 2l from the jet 2l) to the atmosphere.

:Since the disc 3| is made of relatively thin gauge material, unlessV prevented from doing so', the center 3'I thereof may be pressed downward b ecause `of flexibility thereof.V This vpermits the ringer of the user to Aapply -pressure lover a large area, while the pressure is concentrated onthe bottom-of the cap against the button 22. Pressure' of the finger directly upon the button is 'annoying and may be painful in the case of Adispensing wax or paint which requires the valve -to be open for more than just a few seconds. 'Ihe flexible nature of the disc 3| thus provides a valve operating pressure distributing plate functioning to enable the button 22 to be pressed without pain or discomfort. I prefer the use of user merely by twisting the cap 30.

The means above referred to, for preventing depressing of the center 31 of the cap 3|)l unless same is properly aligned consists of a C-shaped projection 4I on the bottom of the disc 37| and concentric thereof. The projection is arranged about the imperforate portion of the disc III and is preferably formed by a simple stamping operation which gives rise to the groove 42 in the top ofthe cap'3. The projection may be a strip of metal soldered in place, or may be a proiection integrally formed with the cap 30, such as for example, in case the cap is molded from plastic. The radius of the projection 4| is slightlv greater than the radius of the outside edge of the annular surface I1. The projection radius is less. however. than the distance from tbe center of the ring I1 to the outermost extent of the surface I8, so that the proiection 4I will engage tbe surface I8 of the nozzle I at all positions of the can upon the bomb I0 except that position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 where the jet 2n is unobstructed. The projection 4| is preferablv of such thickness as to prevent lthe bottom of the center 31 from engaging the top of the valve button 22 when the cap 30 is in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Viben the bomb is not being used, the can is arranged as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This 'orotects the valve housing I4, prevents the button 22 from being pressed. and permits the cans to be stacked by nesting. If it is desired to use the bomb, the can 3l) is twisted to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the nozzle I9 being free, and the jet 2l! being pointed as desired. Indicia 45 may be placed on the cap I0 to show the proper direction. The center 31 of the can is pressed with the finger, and the projection 4| clears the annular surface I1 permitting the disc 3| to be deformed to the position shown in broken lines. This presses the button 22, and causes emission of a cloud of spray 2|.

The cap 3U may be sold separately from the bomb Ill or may be attached to the bomb by the manufacturer. The construction thereof is such that the bomb is easier to use and more convenient to handle. Furthermore it is rendered safe during storage and non-use periods.

It is believed that this invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the specific details are nevertheless capable of wide vari- -ation within thepurview-of this invention' as dened in the appended claims. l

What is claimed and desired to be secured Letters Patent of the United States is:V

1. A cap for an aerosol bomb of the character described and which includes a centrally larranged valve button, spray nozzlejand a jet in the nozzle, which comprises means for frictionally engaging the cap against the end of the bomb in a manner to enable manual rotation of the cap by twisting the same, an opening in the cap through which the jet can spray, said cap being deformable so that the center thereof can be pressed against the button, the cap being adapted to be turned to a position where the opening is Valigned with the jet, and means preventing the center of the can from being pressed against the button unless the opening is aligned with said jet.v f

2. A cap for an aerosol bomb of the character described and which includesl a vcentrallyl Aar'- ranged valve housing having an annular end and a protruding valve button in the center of the end, and a nozzle defined by radial projection of said end with a jet in the nozzle, said bomb hav.- ing 'an end lip; which comprises a deformable -disc having depending flanges adapted frictionally 'with said jet. v

' 3'. A'cap for an aerosol bomb of the .character described and which includes a centrally arlranged valve housing having an annular'end and a protruding valve button in the center of the end, and a nozzle defined by radial projection of said end with a jet in the nozzle, said bomb having an end lip; which comprises a deformable disc having depending flanges adapted frictionally to engage over the lip to permit manual twisting of the cap, an opening in the disc through which the jet can emit spray, the disc adapted to be pressed in its center to engage against and depress the valve button, the opening adapted to be aligned with the spray jet, and means preventing the center of the disc from being pressed against the button unless the opening is aligned With said jet, comprising a projection on the undersurface of the disc adapted to clear the annular end of the valve housing but not the projection, but having a discontinuation thereof which will clear the projection, the disc adapted to be rotated to a position where the discontinuation is aligned with the projection, and the said opening being properly aligned only at this position.

4. In combination with an aerosol bomb of the character described and having a lip on one end thereof, a valve housing in the end and substantially below the lip, a nozzle on the valve housing having a spray jet and a valve button on the top of the housing, a cap of deformable material frictionally engaged over said lip and adapted to rotate on said end by manual twisting, an opening in the cap adapted to be aligned with the nozzle so that when the center of the cap is pressed and deformed it will engage the button and release spray through the jet and out of the opening of the cap and means on the underside of said cap preventing the center of the 7 cap from Jbeing pressed .against the button-1unless the opening is aligned With .said jet; -5- :Inzcombination-Witn an aerosolibombofzthe character described and -ihavinga lip von one end th'ereoiya vValve housing in the eend Iand subf' stantially below the lip, a nozzle y on the valve housinghaving avspray jet, and a--valve button `on the top of the housing, a cap of deformable Y material frictionally engaged over said lip and vadapted to `rotate on said endby manual 'twisting, an opening in the cap adapted to be aligned Awith the nozzle'so that when the center of Vthe fcap'is pressed and deformedit will engage the button and release spray through vthe jet :and out 1ofthe opening of the'cap, said cap being providedwithv a projection ladapted to ride `upon :said -inozzle during all positions-ofthe icap :but on-e, said last mentioned position "being that of proper alignment of the opening with the jet.

' L6. iilncombinationrwith an aerosollbom-b ofthe character 'described and having va lip -on lone end thereof,V Va Valve ,housing in the end -and substantially `below the lip, a nozzle on the `valve 'ihousinghaving aspray jet, and a Vvalve `button yon the top of :the housing, a cap of deformable :material rictionally engaged over said lip and adapted to rotate on said end by Amanual twisting,xanopening in the cap adapted to be `aligned withthenozzleso that When the center of the cap is `pressed and deformed it -Will engage the rbutton and release `spray Ythrough the jet and .out-'of #the opening of thecap, said cap l:being pro- 4vided Witha projection adapted to ride uponsaid .nozzle during all positions of the cap vbut one, ,said "last mentioned .position being that of proper alignment of the opening with the let, saidprojectionbeing in the Aform nof anannular depend-- ing ridge having a discontinuation, the diameter of the Valverhousing being less than that :of the .fridge land eoncentr'ically faligned therewith, :and .themozzle extendingbeyond the circumference nl .-.the .-valve housing andin-to the Vpath Nof LA,the ridge, :Wherebyfsaidcw cannot-sbc depressed unless the nozzle is positioned sat thel :said discontinuation. f7. TheAcombi-nation-of- 1a cap #for an aerosol `-bomb having .av lip a on one end thereof, Iaficentral :valve 'housing `in Vsaid'end provided 'Wi-th an -out- Arivali-@ily facing annular vsurface and as-radiall-y out- -warfdly projecting eX-tensien'of said lsurface -de- 'ning a nozzle 'having-a jet "therein, and a valve button protruding from the center of said-an- .nular surface, said cap comprisingadeformable disc @member closing off said end rand having #l-ange meansadaptedrietionally to engage over the `esa/idlip,@anopening in'thecap `adapted to be laligr-ied with the jet, the center-ofthe disc mem- Iber adapted 'to bepressed Yagainstthe button to operate said bomb, and `means preventing the centers-ofthe Idisc from lbeing lpressed Yagainstthe -`vbutton-unless the said 4opening is aligned withthe jetfscona-prising a,-C-shaped fridge in the-bottom zof `Atlfre-dise-concentrieally arranged relative'to Ythe annular surfacerbut being larger than same, said extension adaptedtoengage said ridge vexcept at the*discontinuationA-thereof.

RoBERT W. sVENDsEN. l

REFERENCES .,CITED- The `followinf.; references lare 'of vrecord A`inthe file -of this Apatent:

VVI'n'vrrED STATES VPATENTS niemeer 

